The United States and Japan will step up their defence cooperation to deal with the threat from nuclear-armed North Korea as tensions in East Asia remain high, officials from the two allies said on Thursday.

Basketball star Lauren Jackson honoured

When Lauren Jackson was asked to be Australia's flag bearer at the London Olympics opening ceremony in 2012, she immediately questioned why.

Her reply was hardly different when told she'd made the Queen's Birthday honours list.

"How?!" the basketball superstar told AAP.

"It's one of those things that never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be honoured with."

Jackson has been appointed an officer in the Order of Australia (AO), having won four Olympic medals, Commonwealth Games gold and several other achievements in the WNBA and WNBL.

The accolade also recognises her role as a mentor to women in sport and social work.

With injuries limiting her time on court in recent years, the 34-year-old has spent much of her time studying gender equality and pursuing causes like domestic violence.

"I feel my social responsibility is to give back to the community, and that's where I'm passionate," she said.

Jackson added the award also provided added motivation to overcome an ongoing knee injury and return for "one last year" before retiring.

"When you achieve or get accolades like this, it makes you want to be able to be successful again - especially at the point of my career - and just say thank you," she said.

She was among a handful of sporting identities to be honoured on Monday.

Former CEO of the International Cricket Council Malcolm Speed was appointed an officer in the Order of Australia, while Olympic canoeing coach Ben Hutchings was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Former Wallaby forward and long-serving Australian Rugby Union chairman and president Ron Graham also became a member of the Order of Australia (AM).